On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“This is… both fascinating and terrifying. And surely sacrilegious.” Yukiko insisted, as her halo of brilliant sunlight now was not merely flame, but also light, dramatically increasing its destructive power and effect. Sure, the Divine Sun of Amaterasu she wielded had a lot of light-like properties, but now that sunlight flame and sunlight light had combined, everything was magnified severalfold.

“It’s not, don’t worry.” I reassured her, finally glad yet another thread of the blazing adherence had dropped off, the effect I needed achieved. Despite that, my body was a wreck, held together by stubborn defiance and the adherence I was now burning with my makeshift Divine Flame to enhance my disrupted Ether Healing, and I was more than glad of both the Tengu mask, and Haanōbō’s cooling waters and ice.

“No, instead, she’ll be proud you’ve reached this level. You’re better able to represent her, and Japan.” Unlike with my sis, we didn’t dissolve her Divine Favour, or do much with it at all, really. We sort of bypassed the Skill it granted, the Sun Of Amaterasu, and simply made sure that the Scarlet Sunlight she had learned through the Favour was integrated into her Chakras more completely (and that she upgraded it to the double mutated Brilliant version, by pulling from what was here, of course) and that the light-based (and admittedly somewhat weaker) sunlight variant was also learned and combined.

“I know, but…” Yukiko spoke. “…Taṇhā… no, I’m supposed to be less formal with you. It’s hard, especially here in Ise, it makes me want to act more like a Priestess…” Her cheeks flushed, though it was hard to see under the radiant light of the adherence around us, visible as my external Flame blazed. “…oh, I’m rambling. I guess it might be the shock and fatigue. I’m… exhausted. But I know I’m not as drained nor as hurt as you, Akio.” She clicked her tongue at me, a gentle expression on her face, before her lips pursed and her blush spread, now even covering her neck, as she realised she’d rambled again. “Sorry, give me a second to focus.” She squeezed shut her eyes and took a deep, calming breath, before asking Tan her question, and it was a good one.

“This adherence… doesn’t it go to the Goddess Amaterasu by itself? Why is it still here?”

“A pertinent question.” Tan remarked. “And one I am somewhat qualified to answer, though… I have not the breadth of worship and prayer that those greater than I enjoy. But the mechanisms and principles are the same, even if the scale changes.” She stared imperiously at us, and for a moment looked like a strict teacher, though the effect was somewhat spoiled by the way she was carrying my exhausted, sleepy sister.

“Yes, this adherence is certainly flavoured to be of use to Amaterasu, yet…” she paused, frowning. “…how to speak of it. This touches very closely on the Compacts the Pantheons agreed to. And while I have… skirted… the intent a number of times, and have been blessed with a… substantial… loophole…” She smiled at me, licking her sultry purple lips. “…I shall not break them without cause, the consequences would not just be ours. And now is not the time for causing avoidable troubles. Let me see… there are reasons that this has built up here, or rather… one reason. And it is thus difficult for such lofty beings as Divine Amaterasu to access it, for the moment.”

“The Boundary.” From her words it couldn’t be anything else. “I suppose it makes sense, but…” It was confusing. I knew that there could be communication between the higher Astral and worlds such as Earth. After all, that was how Tan got here, and also my communications with Rose, as well as the effects of her Runes, which reached me through Lovers’ Link. Oh. Is that… is that it?

“It seems Akio has grasped my meaning, though I said nothing of note.” Tan insisted, as if to deceive anyone listening. “Yes, eventually this adherence would be claimed, and it is a… surprisingly rich source of it. Just as the Tower of London was. This world is certainly blessed. Intelligent beings with great capacity for faith, in greater numbers. Normally on such shallow worlds, I have learned that knowledge is the death of faith, and the diminishment of adherence. Here… somehow it seems almost the opposite. This world sloshes with adherence, and…” She gazed at Yukiko, her crimson eyes knowing. “…if we do not steal… or rather, borrow it, certainly the followers of the Throne would, were they to know of it. They are especially protective of such energies. And you can trust me when I say that Divine Amaterasu would not wish others, especially not them, to… how do the Cultivators put it… ah yes, to rob from her rice bowl. If it concerns you, then put it to use, and owe her a favour in the future to come. Though Akio shall be stretched thin, being beholden to so many.” Tan let out a laugh, and I put my arm around Yukiko, willing my body to remain composed.

“Yeah, it’s all power. Power generated by the peoples of Japan. It might be for Amaterasu, but I’m sure she’d want it put to use protecting Japan and her descendants. Now, no more regrets, okay? There’s still… plenty left.” Though honestly, I’m eating through it far faster than anticipated, due to a combination of my false Divine Flame being utterly crappy and a forgery, plus I’m burning it to keep myself from blowing apart…

“I know, and I did agree. It’s just… oh, well, I’ll take your advice Tan.” Yukiko let out a giggle, hugging me, though she did it so very gently, a knowing smile on her lips and sympathy in her eyes. “I’ll go back to trying to manipulate it and learn the nature of it. Tsukiko…” She disengaged from my embrace, rushing back to her best friend. “…we’ll keep learning together, okay?”

“I would like nothing more. But Tan is quite correct. Take it from the Diviner.” Tsukiko chuckled softly, tapping her chest. She was far more comfortable with Tan after having spent the night together with us, making love and chatting. “We empower the Gods, but it is not merely that, else they are simply parasites. No, I firmly believe that they are like Tan, and would give back to us, wish us to safeguard ourselves first. We can always pray plentifully and with great piety in the future.” Her laugh was oddly wicked, and I couldn’t help but remember our lovemaking, Tsukiko an oddly alluring mix of painfully shy and refined, while also being eager and passionate.

“Yes. I’ll be sure to go on WTV and hold a talk on the worship of Amaterasu.” Yukiko promised, and I promised myself I’d definitely watch that episode. The two of them then began to weave the adherence around us, and I left them to it, turning my attention next to Hinata, who was struggling.

“Any luck…?” I asked, waddling over, Haanōbō using her wing to subtly block everyone’s vision from the times she grasped my arm to prevent me stumbling, as I felt like a badly put-together puppet. If I was one, Suzu would throw me in the trash for being broken…

Hinata merely shook her head, sweaty black hair sticking to her face, giving off silver mist. “It’s rough, as I’m not trying to learn sunlight. No, I just want the Hihi’irokane. Whether it’s a degraded mortal version or not, that doesn’t matter. After all, my Claíomh Solais still packs a punch!”

“True.” I ruffled her hair, and Hinata murmured that the cold ice and water felt soothing. “Well, I’m confident with the resources we have here, you can make it work.”

“We.” she corrected. “We can make it work. We’re a partnership, that’s what getting married is. At least with us. Now then… I think the pretty red of Hihi’irokane will set off the black of the Adamant uniforms beautifully. So let’s get this done. Besides, you look awful.” She flicked my Tengu mask playfully. “I can see it in your eyes. After all, I’ve been looking into them ever since our eyes met that very first night. So I’m not going to be the one that pushes you to breaking point. Besides, now Aiko-chan’s succeeded…” She grinned at my sleeping sis, who was enjoying resting in Tan’s arms. “…I can focus all my strength… on me!”

Gold element, silver, copper, ordinary metal, it surged, though the flow was meagre, especially of the more precious mutated variants. I knew what I had to do, and adherence was gathered to me, and I purified it, focussing on the aspect of flame. Metal was flame and earth, and while I’d used a significant amount of our Territory’s stored earth element learning crystal, there was still more. I dragged out a great deal of that, thankful that Asha’s buffed Tree produced it at a rapid rate, and using those as the base…

“Connection… if I think of it scientifically… Hinata, you’re one of the top students in your class, aren’t you?”

“I am, of course, even before Chirurgery.” She puffed out her decent chest pridefully. “I had to be if I wanted to complete with Sakura, with Mayumi. So, your question?”

“It’s… not exactly scientific, but… I think it’s similar. How can you make an alloy?”

“Oh. You mix together two or more chemical elements, one of which is a metal, and they bond in the proper ratio, and… ah, bonds!”

“As clever as you promised.” I chuckled. “Yeah. If we consider this aetheric chemistry, or Alchemy, I suppose… if we Bond and Connect fire and earth… shouldn’t we be able to make metal element? Especially with the rich, suitable adherence here. It’s already got the fire, and I can give it the Connection aspect… so…”

“If I have enough I can be wasteful… and the metal will carry the mutated flame we need… yes!” Hinata cried enthusiastically. “You’re the best, as always.” She leaned up and kissed my cheek, though it was actually the cold Tengu mask. She then giggled. “I think you look cool, Akio, but… I bet you wish you weren’t wearing it at this moment.”

“Oh, now I’ll claim a better kiss later.” I promised teasingly, gathering the adherence and the flame element that Ise was blazing with, combining it with the flood of earth, and just as I’d funnelled energies into Yukiko and my sis, I used Lovers’ Link as a way of guiding it. “Adherence is, in principle, holding the same strengths as aether, so… the image. Nuclear fusion, the core of the sun, no, a supernova! First we compress flame and earth into iron, which is what most people would consider metal element, Think metal, think iron.”

“That’s where nuclear fusion stops, isn’t it?” Hinata watched intently, ready to do her part, clenching her fists eagerly. “Iron-56 has too high a binding energy, so instead of releasing energy when fused, it requires it. But… there’s another way…”

“There certainly is. Oh, damn this is… stressful…” I managed to bite my lip and change what I was going to say to make it seem less torturous, but Hinata was too shrewd to be fooled, and she kissed the other cheek of my mask.

“Don’t worry. I’m a woman who wants to give as well as receive. I’ll make sure you’re very surprised and happy soon. So just hold on, and be the man I chose, the man I fell for at first sight. The man I stole the nobility for…”

Quite a boast there, but looking at the way Adamant is going, it’s not exactly untrue…

“Yes, you’re right, Hinata. When a massive star collapses, the force, pressure, the rapid release of neutrons… it creates gold and then it’s spread throughout the universe in the nova. Well, we don’t want to spread it, but…”

Your Skill, Kin Bonding And Restoration has become more adept at creating independent, functional Bonds and Connections. Strands may be separated out and created, mimicking and enhancing existing features, though to use them properly requires either a significant amount of Aether, a lesser measure of Soullight, or suitably aspected Adherence, and making them more permanent is a significant task.

Nice. Words flared across my vision in amber, but it seemed it wasn’t actually the Skill Ranking up, just… improving somewhat. It’s not dissimilar to how Brother’s Bond functions for Aiko, but… this is along the lines of what I’ve been doing today, just… better.

It lessened the strain on me, and I knew I’d have to investigate the effects more fully later, but for now I spun temporary Bonds out of the adherence I was forcing to take on my aspects.

Your League cannot currently increase. Your Vessel is enduring significant strain, however your Truesoul is currently being bolstered by outside Wisdom. Your Spirit is suffering backlash, but it is not at a critical level. Caution is still advised, as Wisdom abhors unwise recklessness.

No kidding. But I’ll heed the warning. Thanks again Rose, your Runes have helped a lot…

It is my pleasure. Yet I have to agree with the World Tree. Rose’s response came back to me. Risktakers often succeed in the shorter term, and grow more brazen. But… just like wagering everything on the toss of the bones in gambling, it only takes one great loss to plunge one into Hel…

Yeah, but honestly… this isn’t so risky. I just… didn’t expect my League to suddenly attempt to grow.

Handling such powerful flows of adherence, forging a Divine Flame in such a temporary, disconnected, haphazard manner… even if it is not a true Sparking, you have tasted a little of what it is to be a Divine being. Expecting your League, your Vessel, to remain unchanged and unpressured… oh, you are a trial, my dear Verr. And speaking of… my toss of the bones has left me needing to explain some… very… challenging matters to those I’d rather not have to. You owe me, and I shall collect it in full when I see you again in person!

And I’ll be happy to do so. But owing or not, I want to give you a gift. Since I wasn’t able to at Christmas.

How flattering. Don’t forget one for Lin too, else she’ll be very saddened. And… while it’s not the same, don’t forget our seven sisters. They are your adherents, after all. You know, when Divine Urðr, Divine Verðandi and Divine Skuld speak of the weaving of the tapestry, their words have meaning, but… what is spoken is not always what we hear. To think you would heed their advice about not Sparking yet, only to… create a false Divine Flame that will not linger, leaving you as you were, largely. Ingenious, yet so very… odd. Who would think of such a thing?

I guess I would. It made sense to me though, in part due to Christina Bakker and her crazy experiments, as well as the nature of Cultivation. And we’re not merely physical, we’re also spiritual, so… a spiritual organ should be able to exist externally, and still function, kind of like a dialysis machine. And then when I’m done with such a machine and it’s no longer needed, unplug it, and the body remains unchanged, right?

I don’t quite understand, but from your thoughts… yes. I see. No, that does make sense. Regardless of that, please do remember to heed the warnings of the World Tree, and our warnings too. Stay safe, we have invested much of our hopes in you. And some of us… rather more.

I imagined Rose was embarrassed, so I simply sent back affectionate agreement, before continuing my discussion with Hinata. “…we can certainly mimic that. Spiritual laws and Material laws are different, but share similarities. And by using this rich source of adherence to fix any flaws in my methodology…” When I don’t care about the waste, I can make miracles!

Tan shook her head, probably appalled at my wastefulness, knowing better than I just how valuable this adherence was. Honestly, I didn’t disagree, as I’d often been very short of it, when desperately needing it to carry usurped Favours and grant them to others, so I had made sure to fill my reserves with as much as I could hold while I was aiding the others. But in the desert, to a lost, thirsty merchant, gold is worthless, and a cup of simple water is worth everything he has. I’d much rather have my treasures empower themselves with this resource, even if we end up paying well over the odds for that. Adherence unused is adherence wasted, in a way…

“…I can give you a boost!” I applied my new knowledge and great experience with Chirurgery to attach the temporary Bonds into Hinata’s body, her root, solar plexus and also her third eye Chakra, tied to me, and the mass of metal element which was rapidly turning into gold, no, not merely gold, but Hihi’irokane, even if it wasn’t a true Divine metal. Hinata, her dark eyes bright, steeled herself, and as the tide rushed in, she was using the Divine Favour I’d made for her, channelling the mutated element.

“This is… a unique treasure! Therefore it should bow to Ajé-Shaluga’s Golden River Of Prosperity And Treasures!” she declared, and a significant amount of the mutated elemental energy was absorbed into the Favour, which to my Eyes began to change, the gold sheen it was exuding darkening, becoming a deep, beautiful crimson, metallic hue.

“Yes, that’s it!” she continued, pushing herself, and as her body greedily drew in the element, she took less damage than Yukiko or my sis had, perhaps due to compatibility, or already knowing various metal elements, or due to the control of her Favour. Or maybe it’s that I can use these new temporary Bonds to guide the elements better? Or probably a combination of all of these factors.

“I think you’ve almost got it…” I agreed, her Chakras, including her lunar Chakra now, boiling with the inrushing mutated energies.

“Oh, I’m greedy though, you know that, Akio!” Hinata grinned, despite the fact she was clearly in some pain, though not as much as the others had endured. “Just getting Hihi’irokane isn’t enough for me, I’ve always been… disappointed…” She gasped as she forced the tide of energies to submit to her Chakras, her body adapting. “…that I couldn’t produce much gold, silver or copper. Look how difficult that made life for Aiko-chan…”

“I think my sis is still very grateful…” I disagreed, but Hinata shook her head, dismissing my comfort.

“I know, but… my Favour is actually two. I’ve always felt grateful that you’d give me such a boon, and also guilty, seeing Motoko and Natsumi so desperate. At least you’ve done your husbandly duty and helped them out now.” Hinata winked, before wiping off sweat from her brow that steamed with a crimson hue within the silver. “But since I have two combined within me, I want to produce twice the results, or I’d feel like I’m not trying hard enough. So the limits on my mutated elements upset me. But here’s my chance…”

She was flooding her Chakras, and indeed Ajé-Shaluga’s modified Favour, with the tide of refined adherence and metal element, and moment by moment, the fierce glow of the energies intensified, until she stumbled. I reached out my arm, preventing her from falling, and Hinata grinned at me, before coughing blood, scarlet, silver and crimson. Fortunately, the amount wasn’t much, and as I wiped her mouth, and Haanōbō soothed her with cooling water, Hinata managed a pleased giggle, as the flow died around her, the metal element spent, my temporary Bonds vanishing into scattered soullight.

“Aww, that’s a shame. I enjoyed the extra feeling of closeness we shared.” Hinata teased me gently. “But… I did it, didn’t I?”

My Eyes shone, and I agreed. “Of course you did. I never expected any other outcome. Whereas before, if I recall correctly, your Favour said due to the incorrectly applied nature of the Seed that enhanced the Metal Element, only a very small amount of Silver and Copper Elements are generated, and Gold Element is also significantly reduced from what it should be as compensation, now it reads because this Favour has been enhanced and reforged with a Metal Element far more precious than Gold, even if imperfect, Mortal Hihi’irokane, Gold, Silver and Copper Elements are generated at the normal rate, and indeed even compound on each other, providing a more potent flow of Elemental Energies involving Metal. So yes, your days of poverty and hoarding such energies are over.”

“I’m glad.” This time Hinata pushed up my mask, just a little, just enough to unveil my mouth, and she kissed me, heedless of my own blood. When our lips parted, she grinned, lips red and silver. “Now then… one left, isn’t there? I’d tell you not to push yourself, but… it’s good to keep Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan happy. They’re my precious juniors in Adamant, after all.”

“It’s not just that. Ren-kun deserves his reward. After all, his aid was what propelled my sis on her journey to where she is now.” I cleansed Hinata with a little water, leaving her to find a seat and slump down with barely concealed exhaustion, before approaching Ren-kun. As he saw me coming, he bit down on a sigh, but at comforting words from Asami-san, he stood taller, meeting my gaze with a flicker of his old pride.

“Are you ready?” I asked him, and he nodded.

“I suppose I can’t be the only one to fail here, though I have to say, it feels very strange right now. You don’t… no, never mind.”

“What?” I asked, curious, and he shook his head.

“It’s stupid. I know you treat my sisters like they’re your own. It’s just… oh, I don’t know how to explain it.”

“I think Ren-kun is just shy, and he’s pleased you think so highly of him. But he’s also a big brother, like you. And he worries his sisters will run after you, leaving him far behind.” Asami-san winked at me. “You’d understand that feeling, what with Aiko-chan, wouldn’t you?”

“We all have to let go some day, I guess.” I agreed. “But yes, I’ve no secrets from Haru or the twins, so they know how much I rely on them. I feel bad, as Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan are so young, but… their resolve is blinding, and they’re ahead of their peers, which will set them up for a brilliant future. Power is what matters now. And as their big brother… you need that power too, Ren-kun. So…”

“I get it, I get it.” he grumbled, but his hand was gripping Asami-san’s tightly, and I found that rather endearing. “I won’t fail. I’m Hikawa Ren, and I’ve always been a star of the faith, hotly tipped for greatness. Maybe there are brighter stars in the sky…” he peered at me knowingly. “…but I’ll still shine as brilliantly as I can.”

That was all that needed to be said, so respecting his resolve, I began to aid him in learning the flame variant of sunlight, and immediately, the screaming began. Oh shit. Yeah, I forgot he was a total wimp when it comes to pain. Still… despite his cries, he was doubtless remembering Kyoto, and how helpless he felt then, as his gaze never wavered, and as Asami-san held his hand and cradled his head in an enviable position, I began to work Chirurgery as best I could, and managed the flows of purified, aspected adherence. One to go. Then… then I can finally have a damn breather and fix my fraying seams!

Back in the Material, I was having quite the rough time preventing any of my leaking blood from triggering Ileana, but I was at least managing. Valerian’s story was coming to a close, but it was certainly quite the tale. To put it briefly, he had been blessed as a Chosen of Hodúr, and had started carving out a slice of Territory of his own. His gifts, details of which he was rather cagey about, enabled him to benefit in the Material, and he’d started making decent money. But that had drawn attention. Fortunately for him, it was supposedly a friendly Chosen, who had invited him to a loose alliance, called Balaur. Back then, there had only been four of them, though their numbers grew over several months, and they controlled a chunk of Transylvania province, around the city of Cluj-Napoca, stretching to the south.

Ileana had reacted at that, which I noticed. But that’s for another time. Despite her odd, troubled expression, she had continued to translate for me, and the tale continued. Valerian had assured me that he hadn’t killed anyone else, though he admitted that Twelve-headed Balaur, as it became, when the members were all gathered, had been involved in deadly disputes, with some fatal outcomes. Sadly, the most recent… was with the Church of True Revelation. There had been conflict, and…

“…I’m not much of a one for faith myself, though my wife here is, and she’s raised our kids in the Orthodox belief.” Even just talking, Valerian’s voice was larger than life. His wife merely smiled, though she was clearly nervous to be here.

“But some of the Heads, they take it seriously. Seems a bit foolish, considering. I mean, the Church is clearly wrong, if Hodúr exists, there isn’t only one God. Oh, but yeah, the bastards say they’re Demons, I forgot. When the fool laughs, the wise man sighs.” He chuckled loudly. “Anyway, the other Heads were split between compromise and fighting. Me… I’m all for a good bar brawl, but that’s as far as I’d want to go. And most of the other guys, they don’t have family to worry about. And besides…” His expression fell, and his words slowed. “A couple of Heads… got decapitated. So really, we should be Ten-headed Balaur now. That just increased the anger the other heads felt, but also made those wanting to surrender more vocal. Though I was more worried about those who kept calm, beware of silent dogs and silent people, after all. I didn’t think we’d win a fight, not with two of us dead already and half of us wavering, and I definitely didn’t think surrendering was wise.” He grimaced, peering at me. “I’ve seen the sort of shit they pull. On the news. Don’t know if it’s all true, but I don’t trust anyone who would do that. I’ve got my own kids to look after. They may be grown, but kids are always kids to their parents.”

I nodded, agreeing, and he spilled the most shocking secret. “Some of the Heads, they are hot-blooded, and got gifts from the Gods to match, yeah? They were planning to destroy Saint Michael’s Cathedral in Alba Iulia, since that was close enough to our sphere of influence. As a lesson to the Church bastards to back off. I’m not up for a war, so here I am. If it was going to happen, it was planned for today…”

Immediately, Ministry staff checked international news, and there were no reports of such a terrorist incident, and we were sure there would be if it occurred.

“Guess they either got cold feet, or… guess there won’t be many Heads left now.” He hoisted the can of beer I’d given him earlier. “To those idiots. I told them not to get big-headed. Caution is the parent of safety. I guess not everyone takes to power well.”

Valeska was smiling at his Romanian phrasing, but as Ileana translated, she was visibly perturbed. We exchanged a glance, and I felt I understood what she was thinking. This, if it’s true… explains quite a lot.

“Well, whatever happens, we’re known by the company we keep. So I decided that it was best to make a clean break. Didn’t tell the other Heads, didn’t tell anyone. We were going to make a run for Hungary, my wife has some cousins there, but… we saw your Ministry on TV, mentioning about asylum, so, by Hodúr, best to strike while the iron is hot. Sent a message, and was shocked that we were given enough money to fly business class. Can’t say I hated it.”

“Well I did!” Victor cried, angry. “I had to leave without saying a word to my girlfriend. We were talking about moving in together! And now I’m gone, not even with my phone!”

“Safety precautions.” one of our Ministry employees relayed through Ileana. “Risking interception is too dangerous, if you were serious about emigrating.”

“I’m not serious! It’s dad who got into that mess! Why couldn’t I stay with my Vivi? I had a job. Not a great one, but I was happy!”

“Hush now, it’s for the best…” his mother tried to soothe him, but he refused to listen.

“I hate it here already! I want to go home. Just because dad crossed the wrong people… he could have surrendered. Why would they bother you then?”

“Son, a lesson to learn is that life isn’t worth living if you have to do it on your knees. Now, think of this as a little adventure. You can’t cross an ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore!”

“Courage?” Victor groaned. “You’re a coward, you ran and dragged us away from our homes, our lives. I don’t speak a word of Japanese! And they don’t like immigrants!”

I decided to interject, having heard what we needed. “I can see you are all tired, stressed and confused. Think of it this way, you’re here now, so we’ll get you a fresh phone. You can tell… Vivi, was it?” At Victor’s nod, I continued, Ileana translating. “…just tell her you had to go away for a few days and apologise. We’ll arrange some sort of gift, flowers or something else she likes, to be delivered, and… then you can talk to her. The situation is fluid, nothing is set in stone yet.”

“I… you’re right, I guess.” Victor looked as if he was going to snap at me, but perhaps thinking of my reputation, he moderated his tone. “It’s just… so sudden. Our life has been uprooted.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s rough. But who knows how things will be shortly? If she’s in love with you, and you her, a little hardship now will just make your bonds stronger.”

After that we exchanged a few more platitudes, and as the Ministry staffers led then away, I followed them with my gaze, amber light shining.

He’s not lying. About this, anyway. Hodúr. A Favour for controlling and reshaping metal on a precise and meticulous level. I can see how that could make him money on the Material. The rest of his family seem like ordinary civilians too. But we still can’t let our guard down.

That left our last visitor, the quiet Bianca Albua. She had waited patiently while we questioned Valerian and his family, sipping idly on some offered white wine. Now it was her turn, she stood and greeted Ileana and me politely, before sitting again, crossing her white-clad legs.

“Sorry for the wait.” I apologised, and she waved it away with one hand.

“Oh, I quite understand. You are a busy man, yes? Always doing this and that.”

“Yes. Quite. Now then… you said you were a Chosen, favoured by the Goddess Mokosh. Is that correct?”

“Oh, yes.” Bianca agreed. “Mokosh. I had not heard of her, but I was visited by the Iele.”

At her words, Valeska burst out laughing, but quickly covered her mouth with one hand, apologising. Ileana shook her head, her expression bitter, and I wondered just what had provoked such a response.

“Iele? Some sort of messenger?” I asked, and she agreed.

“Yes, female spirits of nature, of the trees. They told me I was to make the world fertile again, turn back the ravages of technology, and bring back simple… worship. My life was boring enough, so I accepted, half thinking it was merely a dream. But it was not. I… am ill-suited for conflict. I like a quiet, calm life.” She smiled, and when she did, her face lit up. “I was a writer, you know? Nothing that sold much, but… it kept me busy.”

“I see. So, did you clash with the Church?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Of course. I am an agnostic, or at least I was. I wanted to believe, who doesn’t, but… it’s hard. The world is often cruel.” Her smile was somehow sad. “Of course, having no firm belief these days is a sign of idiocy rather than logic, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I can’t say you’re wrong.” I admitted. “So, you said you weren’t good with conflict. Tell me about that.”

Bianca frowned. “What’s to say? I’m sure you know better than most how it works. If the Goddess Mokosh wished me to make the world bloom, many others… are rather more suited to spreading ashes. How could I compete? And if I did nothing… which was my plan, after some… disturbing encounters…” Her face was suddenly a blank mask. “…there are always those who will find us. Somehow.”

Ileana found herself nodding, before she forced herself back into professional stillness. I held in a smile, glad that the pain which had been assailing me was rapidly diminishing, the pressure on my Vessel and fraying spirit still mighty, but declining, as I focussed all my efforts on drawing in adherence to feed Ren-kun and his efforts. Here on the Material, I merely blinked, before asking a follow-up question.

“So is that why you wanted to flee Romania? Those you were hiding from found you?”

“That is not exactly right, but close enough.” she agreed. “It’s quite a decision, scuttling halfway across the world, moving to an unfamiliar land.” She gazed at the doors which Valerian and his family had left through. “Especially with a family. Fortunately, I’m not particularly close to mine. We might see each other at Christmas or Easter, but… that’s as far as it goes. I’m a writer. I can make a modest living anywhere.”

“So, you don’t want to put your abilities to use? Oh, that reminds me…” I leaned forward casually, making sure my Charm and Majesty were flaring at their maximum, though that brought back the internal suffering which had started to fade for a moment. “…I’m curious about Mokosh’s Favour. I have a way to check some details. Can I? If your abilities aren’t combat related, I can’t see it disadvantaging you. It might be that if you have a useful talent, the Ministry could offer you some gainful employment. Part-time perhaps, if you wanted to continue your literary career.” The answer here will be enlightening.

Bianca’s face again froze, before she nodded. “I don’t exactly feel comfortable with such, but… if I can’t trust you, who can I trust? You are the Hero of Britain, and the Savior of South Korea. Go ahead. I just hope it doesn’t hurt. I’m not good with pain…”

“It’s fine.” My Eyes flared to life, and… Mokosh’s Water Which Brings Green Shoots To Salted Ground. Is there anything else abnormal? Huh… yeah, her stats are… abysmal. Utterly worthless apart from her Aether Statistic.

“I see. So you call forth water which can cleanse pollution from soil, plants and so forth, and encourage rapid and verdant growth? You know, I can see you making a great deal of money with that. Wasabi, mangoes, muskmelons. If you can accelerate the growth of a field of those you’d do well. To say nothing of… no, I guess that’s for later.” Helping Asha and Hyacinth and their crops would be great, but right now she’s an unknown quality.

“Maybe I would, but the dead can’t spend money. And my family, even as distant as we are with each other, would hardly be happy to receive just money after I die unmourned in a far-off, strange land.” she sniffed bitterly. “I just want a quiet life.”

“I see. That’s not unreasonable, but we could certainly arrange security commensurate with your efforts. But… you’re exhausted, far from home and in unfamiliar circumstances. We can talk about this another time.”

Bianca nodded and thanked me for my understanding, before she was escorted out by the remaining Ministry staff, but not before one of them had enquired with his eyes whether I needed them to escort Ileana and Valeska. I’d shaken my head, and they’d left without a word. When they were gone, Ileana let out a sigh of relief, before glancing at me. “Was that to your satisfaction?”

“Yes, thank you for interpreting. So… what do you make of them?”

“Valerian and his family seemed… quite ordinary. I was just… surprised.”

“Why?” I asked, and after she glanced at Valeska, and exchanged a few rapid sentences in Romanian, she answered.

“It is simply that they were from where I used to live. A coincidence perhaps, or… if the clash with the Church and their followers was over the last few days…”

“That might explain how you escaped.” I mused. “There isn’t enough information to make any reasonable guesses. The Cathedral seems unharmed, but we’ll certainly scour the internet and foreign news for any potential incidents which might corroborate or deny his story. And Bianca?”

“Hard to read.” Ileana shook her head. “Shy, quiet, unthreatening. Almost perfectly so. Yet you say your Eyes, which identified me, agreed with her story?”

“Yes, they did. So I’ve no particular grounds for suspicion. Still, I trust my instincts. There’s more to her than that. Anyway… we’ve arranged lodgings for you, but I’d very much like for the pair of you to meet a few of my friends before you go, just to confirm a few things.”

“I have no objections. There is… much… I would like to discuss as well.” She spoke to Valeska, who scowled a little at me before nodding. Ileana’s lips quirked into a smile, showing off her small fangs. “And my grandmother will not let me spend time with a young man unaccompanied, especially one with your… reputation.”

“I’d more say with my blood.” I chuckled, and she flushed, clearly embarrassed. “Don’t worry, I’m not offended, but I’d dearly love to learn more about your race and your history. Anyway, shall we go?”

I sent a message, arranging a car to pick us up, and as we left, in the Boundary, Ren-kun collapsed to his knees, but with an expression of pride on his face, Asami-san cheering for him, as he mastered the merging of sunlight in both elemental flavours. With a groan, I let the makeshift Divine Flame I’d kindled disperse, an odd amber message flaring in my vision, and as my tortured body no longer felt like it was a tin can being pumped full of compressed gas, I let out a sigh of relief, though looking around at Ise… Damn, just to help us succeed, I’ve burned off more than half of the gathered adherence. That’s… rather insane? If I equated it to ether terms, I’ve probably just blown tens of millions of it on a few gains. Though being fair to us all, they are rather spectacular gains…